About Shared Lives

Shared Lives is a service for adults who want to live as independently as possible in their community, but who need some support to do so. We match individuals with paid Shared Lives carers who welcome people into their homes and support them to do the things they enjoy.

Each Shared Lives arrangement looks different, as they are tailored to the support individuals need. They can be somewhere for a person to: 

• live long-term 
• stay for a short break 
• visit for a few hours a day

Whatever the arrangement, our Shared Lives carers support individuals to achieve the goals that matter to them. It could be anything from developing skills around the home, gaining confidence using public transport, learning how to cook to finding volunteering or work opportunities. 

What makes the service particularly special is that we carefully match people based on their likes, interests and hobbies. It means genuine friendships between those accessing the service and our Shared Lives carers can flourish. 

Many people across Gateshead choose to be Shared Lives carers. They come from all walks of life, just like those they're matched with. Could you be one of them?